It is not necessary to conclude a preliminary contract between the buyer and the seller. But if the parties want to conclude such contract they must conclude it in the same form that the main contract. In case of real estate both preliminary and main contracts must be in written form.

Besides it is necessary to note that some types of contracts must be notarized, for example, all transactions concerning disposal of a share in real estate; contracts of life maintenance with dependency; all transactions concerning disposal of real estate for person under the conditions of guardianship; those considered a minor or those who are under limited capacity guardianship. That means that preliminary contracts in such cases also must be notarized. 

Preliminary contract is concluded in the same form that main contract is concluded. In case of real estate both preliminary and main contracts must be in written form (for example, all transactions concerning disposal of a share in real estate).

Besides some types of contracts must be notarized. That means that preliminary contracts in such cases also must be notarized.

The parties do not obliged to conclude any preliminary contract.

But if the parties have concluded preliminary contract and one of the parties avoids concluding main contract the other party has a right to sue to demand the avoiding party to conclude main contract. Such demand may be made within 6 months since the obligation has not been performed. In this case the contract is deemed concluded on the conditions stated by the court decision. Also the unreasonably avoiding party is obligated to compensate the other party loss.

The preliminary contract's obligations terminate if the main contract has not been concluded or one of the parties has not sent an offer to conclude it during the agreed period.

It depends on the parties' agreement. It is not necessary to pay any sums under preliminary contract, however the parties may provide a deposit to guarantee performance of the contract. Deposit agreement must be in written form.

Deposit must be returned if the obligation has not been performed under the parties' mutually agreement or it is impossible to perform it. If the contract has not been performed due to the fault of the party which has given the deposit then the other party keeps deposit. If it has happen due to the fault of the party which has taken the deposit then this party is obligated to pay the other party double sum of deposit. Besides, the party which is responsible for the non-performance of the contract is obligated to compensate the other party loss unless the contract stipulates otherwise. 

The parties independently define all the provisions of preliminary contract. In case of disagreements concerning the provisions of main contract such provisions are defined according to the court decision. Also the parties may dissolve preliminary agreement by the mutual decision. 

Any credit institutions including banks may provide you finance on purchasing real estate. Every credit company determines their own conditions and necessary documents for obtaining finance. It also decides independently whether to give you credit or not. There are also lots of social programs providing some citizens with monetary resource on real estate purchase. As a rule such resources are provided by the local or federal government to the Russian citizens.  

Financial agreement must be in written form. If it is not in the written form it is deemed invalid. 

You have to sign a purchase and sale contract with the seller and also to sign a loan agreement with bank.

A loan agreement must be performed in written form unless a notary form is stipulated by law or parties' agreement. If the loan agreement is the security against the obligations by the contract, which shall be notarized, then it also must be notarized.

A loan agreement generally is drawn up by the credit company. However if a loan agreement shall be notarized then a notary draws it up.

The loan is paid to the credit company which has provided you finance. 

In majority cases a mortgage is a guarantee under loan agreement. The credit company which has provided you finance holds the property as a mortgage. The United Public Registry of Real Estate contains information about the acquired real estate and that it is burdened with mortgage. Along with mortgage there are also some other types of guarantee, for example personal guarantees. 

A loan agreement must be performed in written form unless a notary form is stipulated by law or parties' agreement. If the loan agreement is the security against the obligations by the contract, which shall be notarized (for example, the transactions concerning disposal of a share in real estate), then it also must be notarized.

Besides a loan agreement has to be registered by the public office (Land Registry) and the United Public Registry of Real Estate will contain a record about the mortgage. When the obligation under the loan agreement has terminated you may eliminate the record about the mortgage from the Registry. 

Until the obligation under the loan agreement is performed the credit company which has provided you finance holds the property as a mortgage. This means that the owner of the property cannot dispose of it without bank consent.

You also have to pay a loan.  If you fail to pay the loan a credit company may sell the property. As a rule it is sold on the public auction.

If the mortgage agreement is notarized then the foreclose may be made upon the notary writ as out of court enforcement procedure.

Sometimes (for example, if a borrower does not keep the property safety) a mortgagee has a right to demand a preschedule performance of the loan agreement.

The mortgage agreement also may contain other rights and obligations (for example, an obligation of a borrower to insure the property and others). 

The list of documents for a deal depends on circumstances. Title documents and an extract from the United  Public Registry of Real Estate for the property and passports/ID cards for the parties are always required. Also if a real estate was acquired during the marriage in case of disposal a spouse consent is required too (if there is no marital agreement). The same with acquisition of real estate during the marriage. Depending on circumstances some other documents may be needed (for example, a permission from the guardianship office; mortgagee consent etc.).

To be absolutely sure about the documents needed you may consult a notary on this issue. 

As a rule a seller gathers all the documents; but the seller also may issue a power of attorney to a representative or to a buyer so that he/she gathers documents instead of the seller. Some information (for example, information about the owner of real estate) is open and every person may obtain it for a fee. A notary also has a right to obtain some documents from public databases electronically. But in any case there are some documents which only seller may obtain (for example, title documents, marriage certificate etc.) or his/her representative. 

It depends on the type of the document. For example, an extract from the United  Public Registry of Real Estate which proves property rights on real estate may be issued in paper and paperless (electronic) forms. The public office which keeps the database (Land Registry) issues the extract within 3 working days since getting the inquiry. If you apply not to the Land Registry directly, but apply to the Multifunctional public service center then this term enlarges on 2 working days. A notary obtains the electronic extract immediately.